[montanaman]

I did search around a bit but came up empty. I was not planning on towing my BMW 1200 bike back to Montana but everything changed 2 weeks ago as we know.
I towed the bike down here in November on a dedicated Kendon motorcycle trailer with a total weight of about 1500 lbs ( bike and trailer, spare tire etc) with no issues other than the tie downs on the bike require constant attention due to the condition of our interstates.

I sold that trailer as I was planning on leaving the bike here in AZ but as I said that's all changed. They have motorcycle trailers but won't let them go that far so a 5x8 enclosed is the best I can do. Trailer weight is 900 lbs so no issue on weight. My question is do I trust the trailer and are they stable at decent highway speeds of 70-75 mph. They say they have their trailers "serviced regularly" so I guess it comes down to trust. I've heard some horror stories out there and really don't love towing at all.

Just thought I would see if anyone has used that size trailer with their Ridgeline, how loaded up it was and was it a stable situation. Again it's a 1350 mile drive up and over dozens of mountain passes and of course all this during the world shutting down. Last thing I need is a breakdown, blow out in the middle of nowhere with very little back up.

Also at what point do you need to use the trailer brake controller hook up? I know U-haul has surge brakes that hopefully work.

Thanks

 

[klossfam]

I towed the larger U-Haul 6 x 12 (tandem axle) around with my past 2017 G2 and we were loading it to the max. It was a local rental but made around 4 trips of 30 miles back and forth on the I-95 in CT. RL had no issues and got a hand calculated 15 mpg during this move.

Also towed a single U-Box trailer and that was no issue. Was supposed to be a 2 U-Box trailer but they didn't have the trailer onsite, so needed to make a couple runs to get the 2 U-Boxes. I tow a close to 5k boat and other trailers including a landscape trailer with over a ton and a half of scrape metal. I've never had issues towing up to the 5k max capacity.

I have a 2020 RTL-E now and have not towed with the ZF 9 speed (yet).

 

[jamesdhatch]

I towed a 7x14 tandem axle enclosed trailer through the Adirondacks without any problem except the gas mileage tanked. You're towing a wall (my trailer has a V nose so a UHaul will be worse). Keep a close eye on the gas gauge.

 

[technist]

I towed a 6 X 12 Uhaul from Texas to Utah. I recommend getting the surge brakes which is a heavier trailer but I feel will help on mountain passes. I had no issues at all and the truck handled the trailer fine even at a good speed. The issue I did have is a leaking surge brake that I'm not sure if it ever worked! Didn't find out till I was on the road and had filled up the fluid before I left and thought it was just low but now I know why (my fault had 1 day for load up/get on the road). So I would just verify this piece is working before you hit the road . This was in 2019 BE with the 6 speed and used the button on the shifter on the mountain passes. Some have had issues with soft brakes so on mountains I would not get going too fast. I had no problems with braking but gave myself plenty of room and kept it 55-60 on the downhill in those Utah passes.

 

[montanaman]

Thanks guys...

Due to the fact that most of the world is shut down I think I am going to store it for a couple months and then fly down and ride it back. I also have my wife in tandem in her loaded up Mazda CX-9 with 2 old dogs so I need to simply this journey. If it were a different time I wouldn't hesitate but it's just easier this way. And ultimately about the same price.

 

[johnson-rod]

I've towed a uHaul 6X12 tandem axle trailer several times from south Jersey up to the middle of Vermont and back using a 2012 Pilot (similar to the G1 Ridgeline). No problems at all. The trailer tracks beautifully and the truck had no problems handling it. Gas mileage was down in the 15s from our normal 24-25 on highway. No problems with brakes or acceleration. Some of the Vermont hills (mountains) were character builders but it wasn't the Pilot's problem. The G2 Ridgeline is better in every way.

 

[Nightshade869]

You will be absolutely fine with the U haul trailer with surge brakes. You will have no need for a brake controller as the u-haul trailers do not have a wired braking system. As others have mentioned, they are surge brakes. The limit listed on U-Haul trailers is 55mph and I think there is also max recommended speed while towing listed in the Ridgeline manual.

Even with the heavier 6x12 trailer you will be below max towing capability. The spare tire is also rated for just as much weight as the normal tires, so you can make it to a service station if you really need to.

I am moving from WA to CA in 3 weeks and will have my FZ-07 in the bed of my 2017 and towing a loaded 6x12 U-Haul trailer as well. U-Haul also offers emergency roadside service on the cheap if it gives you extra peace of mind.

 

[48218]

I used a U-haul enclosed trailer (5x8, as I recall) to haul my CBR over very nearly the same distance and likely route as you’re planning, OP. It worked just fine. No problems at all. I towed it with my Subaru Baja.

 

[Capt Steve]

I have been towing motorcycles for years behind our 24' Class C motorhome and now my 2019 Ridgeline. Used to have a Kendon and loved it but they leave a lot to be desired vs a cargo trailer. I replaced the Kendon with a 6 X 10' {14' overall} cargo trailer that is 7' tall. It is a single axle and does not have brakes with a GVWR of 2,990#. Last summer I towed my Polaris Rzr SXS from Tucson up to Angel Fire and Red River NM in the southern Rockies {up and over multiple 9,000'+ passes} and the Ridgeline did just fine. Rzr and trailer weigh 2,600# and with the cruise control set at 65 on the interstates {I-10 and 25} I got a solid 16 mpg with no issues whatsoever. When towing my Indian Springfield, bike and trailer weigh 2,220#.

You do not want to tow any trailer, especially a rental, over 65 as that is the max the tires are rated for.

 

[FerioEH]

Call and ask for a One Way RT trailer. They have the notch at the front for bikes, and tie downs.

 

[tmz]

With my 2018 I towed the 6x12' enclosed trailer, fully loaded, about 400 miles including over the Sierras. No problem towing the full trailer, hardly knew it was there, but it was bouncy driving it empty from the U-haul yard to my vacation house. The only real problem was the hooks on the safety chain were large for the size of the loops on the Honda receiver so it was difficult and time consuming to get them through, but a little less difficult to get them back out. And there was no tongue jack so it would have been a hassle to take the trailer off the vehicle as I had planned to do while it was parked at the vacation house and again back home in front of my house.

 

[Smokymb]

I have been towing motorcycles for years behind our 24' Class C motorhome and now my 2019 Ridgeline. Used to have a Kendon and loved it but they leave a lot to be desired vs a cargo trailer. I replaced the Kendon with a 6 X 10' {14' overall} cargo trailer that is 7' tall. It is a single axle and does not have brakes with a GVWR of 2,990#. Last summer I towed my Polaris Rzr SXS from Tucson up to Angel Fire and Red River NM in the southern Rockies {up and over multiple 9,000'+ passes} and the Ridgeline did just fine. Rzr and trailer weigh 2,600# and with the cruise control set at 65 on the interstates {I-10 and 25} I got a solid 16 mpg with no issues whatsoever. When towing my Indian Springfield, bike and trailer weigh 2,220#.

You do not want to tow any trailer, especially a rental, over 65 as that is the max the tires are rated for.


View attachment 401156

I have essentially the same 6x10, tall trailer I routinely tow with no problems. Only comment I have is on towing at 70-75 mph. Had a trailer tire blow out at 65 mph, took the fender completely off! 55-65 is my towing speed for that reason, mpg goes up too at lesser speed.